London – At first glance, the news seems to fall into the category of jokes about flying elephants: but the announcement that the Dublin government has begun loading cows on planes is not April Fool’s. Instead, it is a testament to how difficult trade is in the Channel and the Irish Sea.

The decision by the Irish authorities to allow about 200,000 cattle, destined to be exported to Continental Europe each year, and the calves to be airlifted for only two weeks is the result of EU law: the animals in question must travel more than eight hours.

Although it costs twice as much as traditional maritime transport, it is much faster on a jet and respects the times established by EU rules. But animal welfare organizations oppose conditions that force animals in this way: they are locked in wooden cages and subjected to pressure that can be easily imagined. “These are nightmares with no access to food or water,” said a spokesman for Ethical Farming Al. Guardian In London, “flying cows is a terrible idea.”

As Irish cows fly from one member state of the Union to another to continue on this issue, imports and exports of all other products between the EU and the country have dropped dramatically since December 31 last year. . Data published since this morning Financial Times Notably: Italy’s exports to the UK fell 38 percent in February. Last month, British imports to our country fell by 70 per cent.

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The situation is similar in other major European countries: German exports to Great Britain fell by 30 per cent and French exports by 13 per cent in January. “Trade with London,” says a Paris communicator, “Brexit was upset.”

This is despite the fact that last year agreements were signed between the European Union and the UK to avoid tariffs on goods in relations between the two parties. While not subject to customs increases, products still have to go through more restrictions, more sophisticated bureaucracy, and some additional costs, which complicates transportation, at least at this early stage, as shipments from Europe to the UK and Europe to Europe by an average less than a third.

The general expectation is that over time, trade will return to previous levels, overcoming new technological crises and saving at least one sector of the economy from the adverse effects of Brexit. At the same time, many companies suffer sudden losses. If the pandemic is not adequate, between flying cows and declining exports, 2021 will not start well for trade in Europe.